Ever wondered what inspires romance writers? First and foremost, it's our own experiences, good or bad. We dredge the depths of our distant pasts and recent events to infuse characters and scenes with authentic emotions. This week we tackle the first kiss.

There's nothing quite like that first kiss. The butterflies trying to bust out of your stomach. The heat that rushes into your face when he leans in. The hint of mint on his breath, caught when you drag in air.

I'd been working with a very fit, exceptionally sexy man. When I say he was hot, I mean he would have been Mr. July in a sexy men calendar because he was so scorching. Handsome, nice and available, I was stunned when he asked me to dinner. Dinner was great and unsurprising. After all, we knew each other so there was no awkward getting-to-know-you small talk. Mr. July drove me home and walked me to the door. It was time for the attack of the butterflies. Would he kiss me? Did I want him to? Well, any woman with warm blood in her veins would want him to kiss her. I paused at the door, keys in hand, giving him time to make his move. "I had a great time." Okay, so he wasn't a conversationalist, but for once I was going with my shallow side. "Me, too." So the hormones must have made me somewhat stupid as well. He reached out to tip up my chin and I sucked in a breath. One moment seemed like minutes, then he pressed his lips to mine. Oh, God. Wet, sloppy, and way too much tongue. Like a hot slug in my mouth. I know I cringed. He may have felt the tremor of disgust vibrate through me as he withdrew rather quickly. He stepped back and his mouth formed a hard line, shrugging a shoulder. "Um, see you tomorrow. At work. Yeah. Goodnight." He beat a hasty retreat and we never spoke of that date nor the entire lack of physical compatibility.

We all imagine that first kiss to be perfect, sensual. The moral of this story is that it's different for everyone. Oh, and not to be shallow.

Welcome to one and all. I know you enjoyed Kim Handysides' take on the challenge! If you missed her, head on back after you read mine!

We romance writers have to mix up themes, keep our plot fresh. This week we're taking our cue from Susan Peterson Wisnewski, who challenged us to create a piece of flash fiction using three words: candle, chocolate and scarf. And to keep it between 100-150 words. Wish me luck!

What the hell was she doing? Melissa didn't do blind dates. Ever. With no social life to speak of and all arguments had been exhausted, best friend Syd had simply worn her down with the assurance it was just Death by Chocolate with a friend of a friend at the Trellis Restaurant. She could still get out of this, just untie Syd's identifying hot pink scarf and tell the hostess she'd forgotten her phone in the car. Only guilt kept her from making her escape. Even a stranger deserved an explanation and her respect. Cursing her soft heart, she followed the girl to a patio table for two where a single candle's flame -and her knees- trembled in the evening breeze. The man with dark hair curling at his collar and intriguing green eyes stood with a smile and extended his hand to take hers. All trepidation melted away, replaced with the heated promise of a pleasurable evening.

I envisioned this blind date occurring at the Trellis in Colonial Williamsburg. It would be hard for me to turn down an invitation to this incredible restaurant, especially if the temptation were Death by Chocolate. Here's the recipe if you want to try to make it.

Leave a comment what celebrity you think the blind date resembles.

Don't stop now! See how Jeana Mann handles a scarf, candle and chocolate. Odds are hot and dangerous like her novels!

To honor one of our most inspiring and butt-kicking members, Judi McCoy (author of the Dogwalking Series), Chesapeake Romance Writers created a writers' contest. We call it "Finish The Damn Book" because Judi would have none of anyone's whining about writer's block or complaining about lack of success. She believed in hard work and quality writing but no one got published with a blank page. Her motto was "Finish The Damn Book!"

We invite you to enter your first and last chapters along with a synopsis, not to exceed 40 pages. We need it electronically, all in one document, as we prefer not to butcher an acre of trees when it can be done through the magic of bits and bytes. Your finished manuscript should be novel length (minimum of 40,000 words).

Welcome to those visiting from Brenda Margriet's blog. Everyone else, so glad you found mine! Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a writer's mind? Our group of writers provide a glimpse of the inner workings of the creative brain. This week's questions come from Fiona Riplee.

1.Does humor help or hinder you in your creative process? Humor provides a release from tension that can cause a block. I write sarcastic, snarky heroines so humor does figure into their character development.

2.What is a favorite go-to book or movie you use to unblock a problem in your writing? I shy from borrowing from others' work. In fact, I'm hypersensitive to it so when I have a plot problem, I don't go to any book or movie because I don't want to subconsciously appropriate plot devices. To relax my mind, I might watch The Hunt for Red October or The Princess Bride.

3.What’s the most inspiring book you’ve read this week or month that’s generated a new idea? The last book I read was The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry, which was amazing. He is tremendously talented at creating present day conspiracies interwoven with events of the past. Riveting, I tell you! But no specific idea from that book, but rather a fresh spark for incorporating my passions in my subplots.

Don't stop now. Head over to the sizzling Dani Jace's blog for a peek into her writing lair! It's on the beach and I bet she's got a cold one waiting for you!

Lady Lily Jameson is thrilled to attend a house party given by Daniel Farnsworth, the Duke of Lybrook, but not because heâs the most eligible bachelor in the peerage. Her only interest is his famous art collection, which reputedly includes a painting by her favorite artist, Jan Vermeer.

Daniel, duke only by virtue of the untimely deaths of his father and older brother, wants nothing to do with his new duties. Heâd rather continue his rakish ways. When he finds the lovely Lily sneaking around the property in search of his art collection, sparks fly.

Despite her fatherâs wishes, Lily has no intention of marrying. She wants to travel the world to gain real life inspiration for her painting and writing. And what could be better worldly experience than a passionate affair with the notorious Duke of Lybrook?

But circumstances may change the game and the playersâ¦and danger lurks, as well.

Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning author. Sheâs been writing stories since the first grade, when her aspiring writer father encouraged her and gave her a small metal file cabinet with âHelenâs Story Boxâ written on it in permanent marker. She began her first novel, a young adult romance, in the eighth grade. Although it will never see the light of day, she still has the manuscript that she typed on the old IBM Selectric.

She stopped writing to attend college and law school. She met her real-life hero in law school, and they live in Colorado with her two teenage sons. Helen writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance. Her non-writing interest include Harley rides with her husband, attending her sonsâ sports and music performances, traveling, and Taekwondo (sheâs a blackbelt.)

Caribbean Fish With Mango Salsa

Once school starts and my kids deal with homework, projects and extracurricular activities, we either eat crock pot meals or frozen pizza. This quick and yummy recipe originates from allrecipes.com but I've adapted it to fit my family by using ready-made mango salsa or pineapple/mango salsa. For full recipe with fish seasoning ingredients, clickhere.

Whisk together the egg and milk in a bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, stir the panko crumbs with 1 tablespoon of the jerk seasoning (or seasoning of your choice).

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Dip tilapia fillets into the egg mixture, then dredge in the panko crumb mixture, coating both sides. Pan fry until the fish is opaque and serve with the salsa with rice pilaf or black beans and rice.

When I make this and we eat it on the deck, I pretend I'm in the Florida Keys! Light the tiki torches and a few candles and it's lovely. It's one of my husband's favorites and I love it because it's quick and easy. Next time, I'm using shrimp. Who's up for an island dinner?